Fred Bennett

Fred Bennett (born December 31, 1983) is a former gridiron football defensive back. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of South Carolina.

For other uses, see Fred Bennett (disambiguation).
Fred Bennett
Position:Defensive back
Personal information
Born: (1983-12-31) December 31, 1983
Manning, South Carolina
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:194 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Manning (SC)
College:South Carolina
NFL Draft:2007 / Round: 4 / Pick: 123
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:125
Forced fumbles:4
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:21
Interceptions:5
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR
Player stats at CFL.ca

Bennett has been a member of the San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, Calgary Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Early years

Bennett played high school football at Manning High School in South Carolina. He played football, basketball, and ran track. He was also selected to participate in the 2001 Shrine Bowl.

College career

Bennett played college football at the University of South Carolina. He finished his career with 108 tackles, nine interceptions, and was a two-time All-American selection.

Professional career

Houston Texans

Bennett was drafted by the Houston Texans in the 4th-round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He replaced the injured Dunta Robinson in his rookie season, recording 62 tackles and intercepting three passes.

San Diego Chargers

After being waived in August 2010, he was claimed by the Chargers and spent the first four games of the 2010 season as a backup and special teams player.

Cincinnati Bengals

After being cut by San Diego, Bennett was claimed on November 23, 2010 by the Cincinnati Bengals to replace injured cornerback Johnathan Joseph. Bennett was released on August 27, 2011.

Arizona Cardinals

On August 29, 2011, Bennett signed with the Arizona Cardinals. He was waived on September 2.

Calgary Stampeders

On May 22, 2012, Bennett signed with the Calgary Stampeders. In his first three seasons in the CFL, Bennett totaled 129 tackles, five special teams tackles, nine interceptions and one fumble recovery. Bennett was named a 2014 West Division All-Star and won a Grey Cup later that season. On February 3, 2015, Bennett and the Stamps agreed to a contract extension.[1]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

On August 16, 2016, Bennett was traded, along with Jeff Hecht, to the Saskatchewan Roughriders for two negotiation-list players.[2] He was released by the Roughriders on February 1, 2017.[3]

Healthcare fraud case

Bennett was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of health care fraud by the United States Department of Justice on December 12, 2019.[4] He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges,[5] but changed his plea to guilty by December 2020.[6]

References
  1. "Stampeders sign all-star DB Bennett to contract extension". TSN.
  2. Riders acquire veteran DBs Bennett, Hecht from Stamps
  3. "RIDERS RELEASE VETERANS BENNETT, STEINHAUER". cfl.ca. February 1, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  4. "Ten Former NFL Players Charged in Alleged Nationwide Fraud on Health Care Benefit Program for Retired NFL Players". www.justice.gov. December 12, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  5. Estep, Bill (January 27, 2020). "More former NFL players pleading guilty in health fraud case in Kentucky". Kentucky.com. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  6. Estep, Bill (December 1, 2020). "With latest plea, a dozen former NFL players have admitted guilt in KY fraud case". Kentucky.com. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
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